to: extend eligibility for the Government co-contribution for low income earners; and ensure that persons entitled to a co-contribution cannot also claim a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions; and

to make administrative and technical amendments in relation to: interest on unpaid co-contribution amounts; provider repayment dates and general interest charge; reports to Parliament; and payments of co-contributions into the Superannuation Holding Accounts Account.

to increase the Medicare levy low income thresholds and the Medicare levy surcharge low income thresholds for the 2003-2004 financial year and later financial years. Also contains an application provision.

to: provide an assets test exemption for market-linked income streams from 20 September 2004; reduce to 50 per cent the available assets test exemption for certain non-commutable income streams purchased after 20 September 2004; align the characteristics of life expectancy income streams with those of market-linked income streams; and extend the guarantee period for assets test exempt lifetime income streams within which such income streams can be commuted if the primary beneficiary dies.

to provide that grants are not payable if the applicant or an associate of the applicant are determined by Austrade, in accordance with Ministerial guidelines, to be “not fit and proper” to receive a grant, with effect to grants for grant years commencing after 1 July 2003. Also provides that a determination is review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Introduced with the Medical Indemnity Legislation Amendment (Run-off Cover Indemnity and Other Measures) Bill 2004, the bill imposes the run-off cover support payment as a levy on the premium income received by insurers for medical indemnity cover. Also contains a regulation-making power.

to introduce a run-off cover indemnity scheme to cover the cost of medical indemnity claims against eligible practitioners after they have retired or are not participating in the private medical workforce, which will be funded by a levy on medical indemnity insurers (the run-off cover support payment); and the

Medical Indemnity Act 2002

to enable a claims protocol to be determined to cover the payment of expenses arising from incurred but not reported indemnity scheme claims. Also repeals the

to: increase the level of Government matching of personal superannuation contributions; increase the maximum amount of co-contribution available; increase the income level up to which the maximum co-contribution applies; and reduce the rate by which the maximum co-contribution phases out; and 3 Acts to reduce the maximum surcharge rates over the next 3 financial years; and 5 Acts to reduce the superannuation surcharge cap. Also contains application provisions.